Shannon Williams, 23, a new boxer is looking forward to his first fight in June, watches during the Kronk Gym's grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Lee Crenshaw, a longtime Kronk Gym boxing coach peeks through the boxing ring ropes to see Thomas Hearns during the Kronk gym's grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Thomas Hearns wears his Boxing Hall of Fame ring during the Kronk Gym's grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Former professional boxer Thomas Hearns looks at a commemorative poster with former professional boxer Milton McCrory during the Kronk Gym's grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Jayda Thomas, 17, a two-time Jr. Olympic boxer at the Kronk Gym during the grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Jayda Thomas,17, a 2 time Jr. Olympic boxer talks about how excited she is to be able to train at the Kronk Gym grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Sylvia Steward Williams, daughter of Emmanuel Streward, holds up a plaque given to her by Frank Garza, World Boxing Council referee and judge during the dedication of the Kronk Gym grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Marie Steward, wife of the late legendary boxing trainer Emmanuel Steward looking happy at the grand opening of the Kronk Gym at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Bishop Kenneth Tate, who invited the Kronk Gym to open as a community center downstairs from his church, the Body of Christ International, says a few words during the grand opening of the new home of the Kronk Gym in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

Boxers and trainers talked sat on the ring at the new Kronk Gym as they talked to the media and community during grand opening at their new home in the lower level of the Body of Christ International Church in Detroit on Monday. Jessica J. Trevino DFP

There, in the basement of a remade church on the west side of the city, several of Steward's former pupils — including Thomas (Hitman) Hearns — took a seat in the ring to help usher in the latest incarnation of the legendary gym.

When Steward died of colon cancer three years ago, the boxing gym he made famous went with him. Until this past January, when Steward's family, led by his daughter, Sylvia Steward-Williams, found a new home for the iconic institution.

Without fanfare, Steward-Williams put together a staff and brought back a former Kronk boxer, Milton McCrory, among others, to train a new generation of boxers. For the last couple of months, a handful of hopefuls have taken to the spruced up cinder-block space underneath the Body of Christ International on Chicago Street just east of the Southfield freeway.

The gym's entrance is off to the side, where a small sign reads simply: "Kronk." Inside, the famous red and gold colors cover nearly every surface, giving the subterranean space a striking burst of color.

Once a multi-purpose cafeteria, no doubt home to Bible study sessions and Christmas dinners, the re-imagined room houses a boxing ring, a small locker area, a few pieces of training equipment, and posters and photos that document the gym's sterling history.

Hearns, of course, is the most well-known face of that history, and he returned to a place that houses his spiritual self.

"Tons of memories," he told the jam-packed crowd as he sat on a dais set up on the ring. "It is awesome."

If Kronk and Steward made Hearns, then he certainly helped make the gym, too. On Monday, he hoped his presence to celebrate the grand opening would help make it again.

"I want to give back to Kronk," he said.

Whatever the future holds for the current Kronk gym — it's been in three locations — the brand name of Kronk will have to survive in a sport that doesn't hold our attention the way it once did.

And while the kickoff festivities provided plenty of spark in the neighborhood — Martha Reeves sang the National Anthem and former Lions All-Pro Lomas Brown dropped by to pay respect — it will take more to gain a foothold, despite the optimism of the preacher who reached out to the Steward family to offer the space.

"This is a great moment in time and space," Bishop Kenneth Tate told the crowd. "We are alive. We have returned."

It's hard to blame his optimism … or his faith. In its heyday, the Kronk gym wasn't just a forger of boxing champs, the place offered a refuge in a tumultuous city.

Hearns reminded everyone of this when he spoke at Steward's funeral in 2012, a eulogy that buckled his knees as he spoke.

"If it wasn't for Emanuel Stewart, it would be very difficult for me to be the man I am today," Hearns said in 2012. "He wasn't just a trainer, he was like a dad to me. No one ever (taught) me nothing or showed me anything. Emanuel started showing me things and teaching me things, and right away, my life started to change."

I heard the same sentiment Monday afternoon in the new Kronk space, from other boxers Steward trained, from Hearns himself again. They spoke of his interest in keeping them off the street and of the aggressive style he demanded in the ring, shaped by all those hours of training in the old sweatbox.

The new gym is flush with air-conditioning now, and more than a few on the dais joked that Sylvia Steward-Williams should crank the heat back up. Whether she does should not dim the buzz the re-opening created in the neighborhood.

She is betting that the power of the Kronk name will endure, and that the legacy of her father is a little sturdier. Both in spotting and nurturing future competitors and in providing a place for neighborhood kids to "release some energy."

Hearns was once one of those kids. On Memorial Day, he came back to remind us all why we can't forget that.